Government roads minister hopeful of A303 Stonehenge decision within weeks

Baroness Vere has been speaking to us about the project.

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 20th Oct 2020

It's hoped we'll finally get an answer on whether the scheme will get the go ahead by November 13th.

That's the deadline that's been set for the Planning Inspectorate to reveal their decision, following a four month delay.

Government roads minister Baroness Vere explains why we're still waiting for the final say:

"It is the case that the decision's been delayed for four months, and that's because they've found some archaeological finds quite near to where they were going to build the road.

"That area's been a notorious bottleneck for decades. The good news is that we should have an answer to the deliberations by the 13th of November."

WHAT WOULD THE PROJECT INCLUDE?

If it's approved, the A303 Stonehenge tunnel scheme would see a 2 mile long tunnel built to make the road a dual carriageway and take it through the World Heritage Site, while out of view from the stone circle itself.

There'd also be a bypass for the village of Winterbourne Stoke, using a viaduct.

Here's how HIghways England think a bypass for Winterbourne Stoke could look

Improvements would be made to the Longbarrow and Countess roundabouts, including a flyover for the Amesbury junction.

Highways England say it would all make traffic flow easier through the area, and prevent traffic from rat running into nearby villages like Larkhill and Shrewton.

A CGI image of the proposed A303 Stonehenge tunnel entrance

The Planning Inspectorate's investigation of the plans has already taken more than a year, and taken more than 1,400 documents and over 2,000 representations into account.

There are also strong feelings against the tunnel project, including from groups like the Stonehenge Alliance.

Their petition has gathered more than 122,000 signatures, and been handed to the Government.